New York State is hosting three public forums to solicit suggestions from the public on ways to improve the delivery of services to people with disabilities in the most integrated community settings.

Please use the following questions for the public forums or to provide on-line suggestions. Suggestions should include specific recommendations for how services and supports can be used to help people with disabilities to live, work and interact in their community.

Independence and Community Integration

1. What are the most important services and supports that individuals with disabilities, regardless of age, need in order to live independently in the community?

2. What are the top three things that state government can do to help individuals with disabilities, regardless of age, to be integrated and socially connected to their community?

Transition and Diversion from Institutional Settings

1. What are the most important things people need to successfully transition from institutions and nursing homes to community settings?

2. What are the most important services and supports that individuals need in order to stay out of institutions and nursing homes or reduce the amount of time they stay in institutions or nursing homes

Housing

1. What types of affordable, accessible and integrated housing do individuals with disabilities, regardless of age, need?

2. What are the top three things that can be done to increase the availability of affordable, accessible and integrated housing?

Transportation

1. What types of affordable and accessible transportation do individuals with disabilities, regardless of age, need?

2. What are the top three things that can be done to increase the availability of affordable and accessible transportation?

Employment

1. What are the top three things that should be done to increase integrated employment opportunities for individuals with disabilities?

Systems Change

1. How can community supports for individuals with disabilities, regardless of age, be better coordinated across state agency systems?

2. What types of regulatory or policy reforms are needed in order to support community living for individuals with disabilities, regardless of age?

Measuring Success

1. What performance measures should be used to track progress in implementing the New York State Olmstead Plan? How will we know when the state has been successful at helping individuals with disabilities, regardless of age live successfully in the community?

2. What is the best way to share information about the New York State Olmstead Plan with the public?

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NYAPRS Note: Disability rights advocates have 3 upcoming opportunities to give their personal input to NYS’ Olmstead Plan, which promises to set specific targets for the number of people each state agency will be expected to help move to most integrated community residential and employment settings…which means apartments and jobs for many.

There will also be an opportunity to give input on a second series of September 28 regional forums at OPWDD settings in Schenectady, Rochester, Queens, Manhattan, Long Island, Kingston and Rochester.

Please save those dates and make sure as many can attend as possible.

NYAPRS will send around some suggested talking points on Monday. Stay tuned!

State of New York | Executive Chamber
For Immediate Release: August 17, 2012

***MEDIA ADVISORY***

New York State Announces Public Forums to Obtain Input

on the Creation of an Olmstead Implementation Plan

In the 1999 Olmstead Decision the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that states, in accordance with the Americans With Disabilities Act (ADA), have an obligation to provide services to individuals with disabilities in the most integrated setting appropriate to their needs.

Governor Cuomo has made compliance with the Olmstead Decision a top priority. New York State is currently creating an Olmstead Implementation Plan which will address issues that help seniors and people with disabilities to receive services in the most integrated community settings.

Three public forms will be held to solicit suggestions from seniors, individuals with disabilities, families, advocates and providers of services on ways to improve the delivery of services to people with disabilities in the most integrated community settings.

The New York State Olmstead Implementation Plan will include goals, strategies, performance measures, baseline data and quantifiable targets related to services that will assist individuals with disabilities and seniors to live in the most integrated community settings. Specific areas covered in the plan will include access to: integrated housing, integrated employment, transportation and community services. The plan will also contain information on assessment of needs, transition to community settings and diversion from institutional settings.

Suggestions for the New York State Olmstead Plan can be provided in a number of ways: video conference, public hearing, community focus groups and on-line comments.